Requirements for Major
The requirements for a major in Latin American Studies are as follows: (1) Either SPAN 2020 or PORT 2120 and (2) 30 credits of courses in the field of Latin American Studies offered by the departments of American Studies, Anthropology, Economics, English, Environmental Studies, Environmental Thought and Practice, French, Politics and Foreign Affairs, History, Media Studies, Portuguese, Religious Studies, Sociology and Spanish. Students can enroll in the Latin American Studies courses listed in the online Course Offering Directory. Students may also receive Latin American Studies credit for courses not listed in the Course Offering Directory, and in other departments, programs, and schools not listed above, with the approval of the director of the Latin American Studies program director. These classes must have a minimum of fifty percent Latin America content. No more than 15 credits in any one department or program may be counted toward the major. In addition to the 30 credits required for the major, all majors are required to take LAST 4050 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Latin American Studies. This course will be offered once a year and does not count toward the 30 credits required for the major.
Students can take classes of Latin American Studies in the U.Va. Program Valencia which are considered Direct Credit. (www.virginia.edu/valencia) In addition, students who study abroad in Latin America can petition to have their classes count toward the major.
The major’s thesis is not required, but is offered as an option for students interested in specific topics of research. Latin American Studies also offers a Distinguished Major Program. Students must have an overall GPA of 3.4 to be accepted. A Distinguished Majors thesis is required. Students interested in writing a major’s thesis or in the Latin American Studies Distinguished Major Program should meet with the Latin American Studies program director before the end of their third year. Details about the distinguished major program are available at the program office located in New Cabell Hall 445.
Requirements for Minor
The requirements for a minor in Latin American studies are as follow: (1) Either SPAN 2020 or PORT 2120; and (2) 18 credits of courses in Latin American Studies offered by the departments of Anthropology, Economics, French, English, Politics, History, Portuguese, Religion, Sociology, and Spanish. No more than 9 credits in any one department may be counted toward the minor. Students must take courses in at least three departments. Students may transfer up to 9 credits per semester or year from programs abroad.
Additional Information
For more information, contact the Latin American Studies program director, Dr. Thomas Klubock, 281 Nau Hall, P.O. Box 400180, Charlottesville, VA 22904-4180; (434) 924-6403; www.virginia.edu/latinamerican.
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